Battery pack

By using an insulating protective sheet to cover the exhaust port in the battery pack and adopting a thin cell array design, the problems of flame spread and solid scattering in abnormal situations of the battery pack are solved, achieving higher safety and reliability.

CN120784584APending Publication Date: 2025-10-14SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202510410159.9
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-04-05
Filing Date
2025-04-02
Publication Date
2025-10-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Under abnormal conditions, the release of gas and high-temperature solids in existing battery packs may cause flame spread and damage to adjacent battery cells, and there is a lack of effective insulation and protection measures.

Method used

An insulating protective sheet is used, configured to cover the exhaust port of the battery cell, having a thin pattern of thin unit arrays, designed with an inclined slope cross-sectional profile to suppress flame eruption and solid dispersion, including aerogel or mica material, and connected to the surface of the battery cell by an adhesive tape.

Benefits of technology

It effectively suppresses the spread of flames and solid dispersion, protects adjacent battery cells from damage, and improves the safety and reliability of the battery pack.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A battery pack is provided. An insulating protective sheet having a plurality of thin cells may be provided on an exhaust port for discharging or releasing gas or pressure accumulated inside each of a plurality of battery cells forming a battery pack. In addition to release of internal pressure or emission of internal gas, the battery pack can suppress eruption of flames or scattering of high-temperature solids, thereby preventing flame from spreading to other adjacent battery cells or chain ignition between the other adjacent battery cells.
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Description

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0046954, filed on April 5, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] One or more embodiments relate to a battery pack. BACKGROUND

[0003] Generally, unlike primary batteries that cannot be charged, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged. Secondary batteries are used as an energy source for mobile devices, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, electric bicycles, uninterruptible power supplies, etc. Also, depending on the type of an external device to which a secondary battery is applied, the secondary battery can be used in the form of a single battery or a group of cells connected and bundled in units of a plurality of batteries.

[0004] Small mobile devices such as mobile phones can be operated for a certain period of time with only the output and capacity of a single battery. However, when long-time and high-power use is required, such as in large mobile devices including a laptop or electric or hybrid vehicles consuming a large amount of power, a group type including a plurality of batteries is preferred due to its output and capacity. Also, the output voltage or output current can be increased depending on the number of batteries embedded therein.

[0005] The above information disclosed in this Background section is for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and therefore, can include information that does not constitute prior art. SUMMARY

[0006] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a battery pack in which an insulation protection sheet having a plurality of thin cells is on an exhaust port of a battery cell for discharging or releasing a gas or pressure accumulated inside the battery cell. The insulation protection sheet is configured to suppress the eruption of flames and / or the scattering of high-temperature solids, thereby preventing the spread of flames to other adjacent battery cells and / or chain ignition reactions therebetween.

[0007] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and drawings or can be learned by practice of the presented embodiments of the disclosure.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments, a battery pack includes: battery cells arranged in a first direction, each having a gas vent for venting gas; and insulation protection sheets configured to at least partially cover first surfaces of the battery cells forming the gas vents, respectively. Each of the insulation protection sheets has a thin pattern including an array of thin cells having a sloped ramp cross-sectional profile in a form converging from an open structure in an outer surface of the insulation protection sheet toward an inner surface. Each of the insulation protection sheets forms a closed structure in the inner surface of the insulation protection sheet facing the battery cells, and forms the open structure in the outer surface of the insulation protection sheet opposite the battery cells.

[0009] For example, the thin pattern can form the closed structure in the inner surface of the insulation protection sheet to fluidly isolate an upper region from a lower region of the insulation protection sheet.

[0010] For example, the thin cells can have a circular open structure in the outer surface of the insulation protection sheet.

[0011] For example, the thin cells can have a wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape including an apex, the circular open structure in the outer surface of the insulation protection sheet converging to the apex toward the inner surface of the insulation protection sheet.

[0012] For example, the thin cells can have a truncated wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape in which the circular open structure in the outer surface of the insulation protection sheet having a first diameter converges into a circle having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter toward the inner surface of the insulation protection sheet.

[0013] For example, the thin cells can have a three-dimensional conical shape or a truncated conical shape.

[0014] For example, the insulation protection sheets can include: a central region including the array of thin cells; and a peripheral region surrounding the central region and not including the thin cells.

[0015] For example, in the inner surface of the insulation protection sheet facing the battery cells, the thin cells formed in the central region of the insulation protection sheet can form a substantially flat surface with the peripheral region of the insulation protection sheet.

[0016] For example, in the outer surface of the insulation protection sheet opposite the battery cells, the thin cells formed in the central region of the insulation protection sheet can form a structure recessed from the peripheral region of the insulation protection sheet.

[0017] For example, the insulation protection sheet can include a pair of long sides extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the insulation protection sheet along long sides of the first surface of the battery cell, respectively, and a pair of short sides extending in the first direction corresponding to a width direction of the insulation protection sheet in parallel with short sides of the first surface of the battery cell, respectively.

[0018] For example, the thin cells can be arranged in rows in a second direction corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the insulation protection sheet and in rows in a first direction corresponding to a width direction of the insulation protection sheet.

[0019] For example, the thin cells can form a dense arrangement while thin cells in different rows adjacent to each other in the first direction are arranged between thin cells adjacent to each other in the second direction corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the insulation protection sheet.

[0020] For example, the thin cells can include a center thin cell and an accessory thin cell surrounding the center thin cell.

[0021] For example, a second distance between the accessory thin cells adjacent to each other along a circumference of the center thin cell can be less than a first distance between the center thin cell and each of the accessory thin cells.

[0022] For example, the first surface of the battery cell forming the exhaust port can correspond to any one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the battery cell.

[0023] For example, an adhesive tape can be on the inner surface of the insulation protection sheet and couple the insulation protection sheet to the first surface of the battery cell.

[0024] For example, the insulation protection sheet can include a center region in which a thin pattern including a dense arrangement of the thin cells is formed, and a peripheral region surrounding the center region and not including the thin pattern, and the adhesive tape can cover an entire region of the insulation protection sheet throughout the center region and the peripheral region of the insulation protection sheet.

[0025] For example, the insulation protection sheet and the adhesive tape can electrically insulate the first surface of the battery cell based on a thickness of the adhesive tape and a thickness of each insulation protection sheet at the thin pattern.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation protection sheet can include aerogel or mica.

[0027] For example, the critical fracture pressure of the thin pattern can be set according to design parameters of the thin pattern, the design parameters including a diameter of the circular open structure formed in the outer surface of the insulation protection sheet and a distance between the closest thin cells. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a battery cell of Figure 1 ;

[0031] Figure 3 is a view of an outer surface of an insulation protection sheet of Figure 1 ;

[0032] Figure 4 is a view of an inner surface of an insulation protection sheet of Figure 1 ;

[0033] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an insulation protection sheet taken along line V-V' of Figure 3 ;

[0034] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an insulation protection sheet of Figure 5 , cut open;

[0035] Figure 7 illustrates an insulation protection sheet according to other embodiments different from the insulation protection sheet of Figure 6 ;

[0036] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of an insulation protection sheet of Figure 7 ; and

[0037] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the present embodiments can have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments are merely described below, by referring to the drawings, to explain aspects of the present description. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as "at least one of," when preceding the list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

[0039] Hereinafter, a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] Figure 1 A perspective view of a battery cell C of

[0041] Figure 2 A perspective view of a battery cell C of Figure 1

[0042] Figure 3 A perspective view of a battery cell C of Figure 1

[0043] Figure 4 A perspective view of a battery cell C of Figure 1

[0044] Figure 5 A perspective view of a battery cell C of Figure 3

[0045] Figure 6 A perspective view of a battery cell C of Figure 5

[0046] A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can include a plurality of battery cells C arranged in a first direction Z1, each battery cell having a vent V for venting gas; and a plurality of insulation protection sheets 100 configured to cover a first surface (corresponding to the upper surface 11) of the battery cells C on which the vent V is formed, each of the insulation protection sheets 100 having a thin pattern 150 including an array of a plurality of thin units 140 having a sloped ramp cross-sectional profile in the form of converging from an open structure 130 in an outer surface 100a of the insulation protection sheet 100 toward an inner surface 100b. Each of the insulation protection sheets 100 forms a closed structure 120 in the inner surface 100b of the insulation protection sheet 100 facing the battery cell C, and forms an open structure 130 in the outer surface 100a of the insulation protection sheet 100 opposite the battery cell C.​​​​​

[0047] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the feature that the insulating protective sheet 100 forms the closed structure 120 in the inner surface 100b can mean that the insulating protective sheet 100 extending on a plane formed by the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2 fluidically separates (e.g., isolates) the upper region and the lower region from each other in a third direction Z3 intersecting the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2, and can mean that the upper region and the lower region of the insulating protective sheet 100 are fluidically separated (e.g., isolated) from each other in the third direction Z3 at least by the closed structure 120 in the inner surface 100b of the insulating protective sheet 110.

[0048] The battery pack according to an embodiment of the disclosure can include a plurality of battery cells C, and the plurality of battery cells C can be arranged in the first direction Z1. As described below, adjacent (neighboring) battery cells C of the plurality of battery cells C arranged in the first direction Z1 can be arranged such that their major surfaces 15 face each other.

[0049] Each of the plurality of battery cells C forming the battery pack can include an upper surface 11, a vent V configured to release internal pressure accumulated inside the battery cell C or to vent gas accumulated inside the battery cell C, a bottom surface opposite the upper surface 11, a pair of major surfaces 15 having a relatively large area and connecting the upper surface 11 to the bottom surface of the battery cell C, and a pair of side surfaces 14 having a relatively small area. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the pair of major surfaces 15 can be arranged opposite each other in the first direction Z1, and the pair of side surfaces 14 can be arranged opposite each other in the second direction Z2 intersecting the first direction Z1. Also, the upper surface 11 and the bottom surface of the battery cell C can be arranged opposite each other in the third direction Z3 intersecting the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2. In one or more embodiments, the pair of major surfaces 15 can be arranged opposite each other in the first direction Z1 corresponding to an arrangement direction of the battery cells C in which the plurality of battery cells C are arranged, and the battery cells C adjacent to each other in the first direction Z1 can be arranged such that their major surfaces 15 face each other.

[0050] The upper surface 11 of the battery cell C can have an electrode E forming a path for charging and discharging current of the battery cell C, in addition to the vent V for releasing / discharging internal pressure or gas. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the vent V can be formed in a central region of the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C, and can not be formed in a peripheral region forming a peripheral contour of the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C. In one or more embodiments, the vent V can be configured to release pressure or discharge gas accumulated inside the battery cell C. In order to cause uniform (or substantially uniform) internal pressure release or uniform (or substantially uniform) gas discharge throughout the inside of the battery cell C, and in order to quickly release internal pressure of the battery cell C or discharge gas from the battery cell C, the vent V can be in a central region of the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C. In one or more embodiments, the vent V can not be in a peripheral region of the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C.

[0051] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the battery pack can include an insulating protective sheet 100 configured to cover the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C in which the vent V is formed, and the insulating protective sheet 100 can completely cover the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C or partially cover the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C. In an embodiment of the disclosure, a feature that the insulating protective sheet 100 covers the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C can mean that the insulating protective sheet 100 covers at least a portion of the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C. In one or more embodiments, the feature can mean that the insulating protective sheet 100 covers the vent V corresponding to a portion of the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C, and can mean that the insulating protective sheet 100 covers at least the vent V. The insulating protective sheet 100 can include aerogel or mica.

[0052] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the thin pattern 150 in the insulation protection sheet 100 can cover the vent V formed in a portion of the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the thin pattern 150 of the insulation protection sheet 100 and the vent V in the portion of the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C can at least partially overlap. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the thin pattern 150 of the insulation protection sheet 100 can have an area sufficient to cover the vent V formed in the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C. In one or more embodiments, the thin pattern 150 of the insulation protection sheet 100 can be large enough to cover the area of the vent V formed in the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C. As described above, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the thin pattern 150 formed in the insulation protection sheet 100 can have an area sufficient to cover the vent V configured to release the accumulated pressure inside the battery cell C or to vent the gas accumulated inside the battery cell C. In one or more embodiments, via the thin pattern 150 of the insulation protection sheet 100, the gas released from the inside of the battery cell C via the vent V, the flame ejected together with the gas toward the outside of the battery cell C, or the ejection of the flying products (such as solid substances) accompanying the flame to the outside can be prevented (or at least mitigated). In one or more embodiments, the ejection of the flying products at high temperature accompanying the flame is suppressed, and other battery cells C forming the battery pack can be protected from the battery cell C in which the event has occurred.

[0053] In embodiments of the present disclosure, in the battery cell C, due to the generation of gas under abnormal conditions such as overheating or explosion, a high internal pressure can be accumulated inside the battery cell C, and thus the internal gas can be accumulated at high pressure. In one or more embodiments, when the internal pressure or gas of the battery cell C is released due to the rupture of the vent V, solids inside the battery cell C can be scattered together with the gas from the vent V depending on the pressure difference between the high pressure inside the battery cell C and the atmospheric pressure outside the battery cell C. In one or more embodiments, without the insulation protection sheet 100, the solids inside the battery cell C can be scattered together with the released gas toward other adjacent battery cells C, which can damage the other adjacent battery cells C or spread the flame to the other adjacent battery cells C. Also, in embodiments of the present disclosure, the pressure release or gas venting inside the battery cell C can be accompanied by a flame. In one or more embodiments, due to the release of the gas accompanying the flame (for example, from the battery cell C in which the event has occurred), the flame can spread toward other adjacent battery cells C.

[0054] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the thin pattern 150 of the insulation protection sheet 100 for covering the exhaust port V of the battery cell C can prevent (or at least mitigate) the propagation of a flame and / or the scattering of a solid accompanying the release of gas from the exhaust port V of the battery cell C. The spread of a flame or the scattering of a solid from a battery cell C in which an event has occurred to other adjacent battery cells C or the occurrence of an event to other battery cells C forming a battery pack can be suppressed (or at least mitigated), and the propagation of a flame chain or the occurrence of an event to other battery cells C forming a battery pack can be prevented (or at least mitigated). To this end, the thin pattern 150 of the insulation protection sheet 100 can be provided on the exhaust port V through which the propagation of a flame or the scattering of a solid occurs as gas is released. In embodiments of the present disclosure, in order to suppress (or at least mitigate) the propagation of a flame or the scattering of a solid that can accompany the release of gas from a battery cell C in which an event has occurred, the thin pattern 150 of the insulation protection sheet 100 can cover at least a portion of the exhaust port V of the battery cell C forming a battery pack.

[0055] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the thin pattern 150 of the insulation protection sheet 100 can completely cover the exhaust port V of the battery cell C or partially cover the exhaust port V of the battery cell C. In one or more embodiments, the thin pattern 150 of the insulation protection sheet 100 can cover at least a portion of the exhaust port V of the battery cell C. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the insulation protection sheet 100 can cover at least a portion of the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C, and the thin pattern 150 formed in the insulation protection sheet 100 can cover at least the exhaust port V of the battery cell C, which is a portion of the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C. Based on the exhaust port V in the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C, the insulation protection sheet 100 and the thin pattern 150 in the insulation protection sheet 100 can cover a portion of the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C or at least cover the exhaust port V, which is a portion of the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the insulation protection sheet 100 can be on the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C, and the thin pattern 150 of the insulation protection sheet 100 can cover the exhaust region VA in which the exhaust port V is formed in the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C (see FIG. 1B). Figure 2 ) In one or more embodiments, the thin pattern 150 of the insulation protection sheet 100 can cover the exhaust port V in the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the insulation protection sheet 100 can cover the exhaust region VA including the exhaust port V, and the thin pattern 150 of the insulation protection sheet 100 can cover the exhaust port V. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the exhaust region VA covered by the insulation protection sheet 100 can represent a region wider than the exhaust port V, and the region includes the exhaust port V and a surrounding region of the exhaust port V. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C can include the exhaust region VA and the electrode region EA (see FIG. 1B). Figure 2), and the electrode region EA includes the electrode E and a vicinity around the electrode E. The exhaust region VA and the electrode region EA can include the vicinity around the exhaust port V and the vicinity around the electrode E, respectively, so as not to overlap each other. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the vicinity of the exhaust port V can include a portion of the exhaust region VA covered by the insulation protection sheet 100, and can provide a coupling position for forming a bond between the insulation protection sheet 100 and the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C, for example, provide a coupling position for adjusting the coupling between the insulation protection sheet 100 and the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C. The vicinity of the electrode E can provide a coupling position for coupling between the electrode E and the cover plate forming the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C or an insulation position for insulation. In one or more embodiments, a welding point forming a coupling position can be provided around the electrode E, or an insulation pad forming an insulation position can be provided.

[0056] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation protection sheet 100 can include a peripheral region PA providing a coupling position and a central region CA formed with a thin pattern 150 (e.g., an array of a plurality of thin cells 140). In an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation protection sheet 100 can include a peripheral region PA not formed with a thin pattern 150 and a central region CA formed with a thin pattern 150. The peripheral region PA can surround the central region CA. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the adhesive tape 200 can be located between the insulation protection sheet 100 and the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C to achieve coupling therebetween. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the adhesive tape 200 located between the insulation protection sheet 100 and the battery cell C can extend throughout both the central region CA formed with a thin pattern 150 and the peripheral region PA not formed with a thin pattern 150. The central region CA formed with a thin pattern 150 can generally face the exhaust port V for releasing internal pressure of the battery cell C or discharging accumulated internal gas. It can be understood that the insulation protection sheet 100 is attached to the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C by the adhesive tape 200 attached to the peripheral region PA not formed with a thin pattern 150 rather than the central region CA of the insulation protection sheet 100 facing the exhaust port V.

[0057] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the insulating protective sheet 100 can include a thin pattern 150 covering at least the exhaust port V of the battery cell C, and the thin pattern 150 can include a plurality of non-penetrating slots arranged in a regular pattern (e.g., an interlaced grid pattern). In embodiments of the present disclosure, the thin pattern 150 can be formed as non-penetrating slots that are not perforated, and the cover plate forming the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C can be covered by the thin pattern 150 and insulated from the outside. In one or more embodiments, the insulating protective sheet 100 including the thin pattern 150 can provide electrical insulation for the battery cell C. While providing electrical insulation for the cover plate forming the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C, the insulating protective sheet 110 can prevent (or at least mitigate) electrical interference between the external environment and any polarity (e.g., negative polarity) that can be electrically connected to the cover plate forming the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C.

[0058] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover plate forming the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C can have a positive polarity or a negative polarity (e.g., a negative polarity) of the battery cell C. As described above, in order to insulate the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C having one polarity from the opposite polarity (positive polarity), and to insulate the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C having one polarity (negative polarity) from the external environment, the insulating protective sheet 100 on the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C can have an electrical insulation property, and the thin pattern 150 provided as non-penetrating slots is used to provide electrical insulation. If the insulating protective sheet 100 has electrical conductivity, unlike the present disclosure, the positive electrode and the negative electrode together formed on the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C can be electrically connected to each other via the insulating protective sheet 200, and can conduct electricity between the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C and the external environment via the insulating protective sheet 100. As described below, the outer surface 100a of the insulating protective sheet 100 opposite the battery cell C can have an open structure 130, but the inner surface 100b of the insulating protective sheet 100 facing the battery cell C can have a closed structure 120. The insulating protective sheet 100 can provide an electrical insulation property without exposing the cover plate forming the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C to the outside.

[0059] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the thin pattern 150 can form a closed structure 120 in the inner surface 100b of the insulating protection sheet 100 and form an open structure 130 in the outer surface 100a of the insulating protection sheet 100. The upper surface 11 of the battery cell C can be electrically insulated by the thin pattern 150 formed as the closed structure 120 in the inner surface 100b of the insulating protection sheet 100. Also, the thin pattern 150 can form the open structure 130 in the outer surface 100a of the insulating protection sheet 100, so that a rupture of the insulating protection sheet 100 can be caused by the thin pattern 150. In one or more embodiments, to release an internal pressure of the battery cell C or to vent a gas accumulated inside the battery cell C, the thin pattern 150 having the closed structure 120 in the inner surface 100b facing the battery cell C can be configured to rupture at a set critical rupture pressure or higher. The rupture can cause a release of the internal pressure of the battery cell C or a venting of the gas.

[0060] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the thin pattern 150 can have the closed structure 120 in the inner surface 100b of the insulating protection sheet 100 facing the battery cell C and have the open structure 130 in the outer surface 100a of the insulating protection sheet 100 opposite to (i.e., facing away from) the battery cell C. The thickness of the insulating protection sheet 100 at the thin pattern 150 can be less than the thickness of a portion of the insulating protection sheet 100 not including the thin pattern 150 (e.g., the thickness of the thin pattern 150 can be less than the thickness of a peripheral area PA of the insulating protection sheet 100 not including the thin pattern 150). In one or more embodiments, a rupture of the insulating protection sheet 100 can be caused by the thin pattern 150 having a relatively small thickness. A critical rupture pressure for rupturing the thin pattern 150 can be set by controlling a size (e.g., a diameter Φ1) of each of the thin cells 140 forming the thin pattern 150, a thickness t1 of each of the thin cells 140 forming the thin pattern 150, and a number of the thin cells 140 per unit area (i.e., a density of the thin cells 140 forming the thin pattern 150) forming the thin pattern 150. The rupture of the thin pattern 150 or the insulating protection sheet 100 including the thin pattern 150 can be configured to be caused at a critical rupture pressure or higher.

[0061] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the feature that the thin pattern 150 has a closed structure 120 in the inner surface 100b of the insulating protective sheet 100 and an open structure 130 in the outer surface 100a of the insulating protective sheet 100 can mean that the thin pattern 150 forms a substantially flat surface in the inner surface 100b of the insulating protective sheet 100 facing the battery cell C, and the peripheral area PA of the insulating protective sheet 100 does not include the thin pattern 150. Also, the feature can mean that the thin pattern 150 has a structure recessed from the peripheral area PA of the insulating protective sheet 100, rather than forming a flat surface with the peripheral area PA of the insulating protective sheet 100 in the outer surface 100a of the insulating protective sheet 100 opposite (i.e., facing away from) the battery cell C. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the thin pattern 150 can have a tapered slope cross-sectional profile from the outer surface 100a of the insulating protective sheet 100 opposite the battery cell C toward the inner surface 100b of the insulating protective sheet 100 facing the battery cell C. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the size (e.g., taper) of the thin pattern 150 can gradually decrease from the outer surface 100a of the insulating protective sheet 100 toward the inner surface 100b of the insulating protective sheet 100. In one or more embodiments, the thin pattern 150 can have a wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape, and the wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape can form a thickness t1 of the thin pattern 150 while forming a vertex at a position before reaching the inner surface 100b of the insulating protective sheet 100. In one or more embodiments, the thickness t1 of the insulating protective sheet 100 at the thin pattern 150 (e.g., the thickness t1 of the thin pattern 150 corresponding to the remaining thickness of the insulating protective sheet 200 from the vertex of the thin unit 140 to the inner surface 100b of the insulating protective sheet 100, i.e., the remaining thickness of the insulating protective sheet 100 after the thin unit 140 having a tapered slope cross-sectional profile converges to the vertex of the thin unit 140 from the outer surface 100a toward the inner surface 100b) can form a parameter for setting a critical fracture pressure together with the size (e.g., diameter Φ1) of each of the thin units 140 forming the thin pattern 150 and the number of thin units 140 per unit area (i.e., the density of the thin units 140 forming the thin pattern 150) forming the thin pattern 150.

[0062] In embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the thin cells 140 forming the thin pattern 150 can have an oblique slope cross-sectional profile converging to an apex from the outer surface 100a of the insulating protection sheet 100 toward the inner surface 100b of the insulating protection sheet 100, and can have a wedge-shaped cross-sectional profile having a slope. However, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the thin cells 140 forming the thin pattern 150 can have a different oblique slope cross-sectional profile. For example, the thin cells 140 can have an oblique cross-sectional profile such as a wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape, but can not converge to an apex. Also, the thin cells 140 can have an oblique cross-sectional profile of a non-oblique shape other than an oblique shape.

[0063] In embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the thin cells 140 forming the thin pattern 150 can have a circular open structure 130 in the outer surface 100a of the insulating protection sheet 100, and can be formed in a three-dimensional conical shape having an oblique slope cross-sectional profile from the outer surface 100a of the insulating protection sheet 100 toward the inner surface 100b of the insulating protection sheet 100. In embodiments in which the thin cells 140 are axisymmetric with respect to an apex axis of the thin cells 140, there is no anisotropy depending on the position or direction of the pressure acting on the thin pattern 150. In one or more embodiments, the thin cells 140 can break at a preset critical breakage pressure while responding to pressure equally, regardless of the point of application or direction of the pressure. For example, if the outer surface 100a of the insulating protection sheet 100 does not have a circular open structure 130, but has a polygonal open structure 130 different from the present disclosure, the thin pattern 150 can break due to local stress concentration acting on the corners of the polygon while reacting to a pressure slightly different from the preset critical breakage pressure depending on the point of application and direction of the pressure. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the thin pattern 150 can have a three-dimensional shape symmetric with respect to an apex, such as a conical shape, but can not have a three-dimensional shape having edges, such as a polyhedral pyramid shape.

[0064] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the critical breakage pressure at which the thin pattern 150 is broken can be adjusted by controlling the design parameters of the thin pattern 150, including the shape and density of the thin pattern 150. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the critical breakage pressure can be set by controlling the design parameters of the thin pattern 150. Also, appropriate electrical insulation characteristics can be achieved by controlling the design parameters of the thin pattern 150. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the electrical insulation characteristics of the thin pattern 150 can be determined by the thickness t1 of the thin pattern 150 (e.g., the remaining thickness of the insulation protection sheet 100 from the vertex of the thin pattern 150 to the inner surface 100b of the insulation protection sheet 100). In one or more embodiments, the electrical insulation characteristics of the insulation protection sheet 100 can be determined by the thickness t1 of the thin pattern 150 that forms the minimum thickness of the insulation protection sheet 100. For example, if the thickness t1 of the thin pattern 150 that forms the minimum thickness of the insulation protection sheet 100 is not higher than a certain level, an insulation breakdown can be caused by a voltage applied between the inner surface 100b and the outer surface 100a of the insulation protection sheet 100. Accordingly, the electrical insulation characteristics of the insulation protection sheet 100 can be lost due to the insulation breakdown. In embodiments of the present disclosure, in addition to the thickness t1 of the thin pattern 150 that forms the minimum thickness of the insulation protection sheet 100, which determines the electrical insulation characteristics of the insulation protection sheet 100, the thickness of the adhesive tape 200 (double-sided tape) overlapping the insulation protection sheet 100 can be added. In one or more embodiments, when the thickness t2 of the adhesive tape 200 is added to the thickness t1 of the thin pattern 150, the total insulation breakdown voltage can increase, which can improve the electrical insulation characteristics.

[0065] In an embodiment of the disclosure, an adhesive tape 200 (e.g., a double-sided tape that applies adhesive force on both sides of the insulating protective sheet 110 and the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C) for coupling the insulating protective sheet 100 to the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C can be applied between the insulating protective sheet 100 and the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C. The application of the adhesive tape 200 can additionally enhance the electrical insulation properties in addition to the thickness t1 of the thin pattern 150 forming the minimum thickness of the insulating protective sheet 100. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the adhesive tape 200 can overlap the insulating protective sheet 100 to enhance the electrical insulation properties in addition to the thickness t1 of the thin pattern 150 forming the minimum thickness for determining the electrical insulation properties of the insulating protective sheet 100 while coupling the insulating protective sheet 110 to the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C. In one or more embodiments, the thickness t1 of the thin pattern 150 of the insulating protective sheet 100 can be reduced to achieve the same insulation breakdown voltage, and the cost of the insulating protective sheet 100 can be reduced by reducing the total thickness of the insulating protective sheet 100. In one or more embodiments, with respect to the adhesive tape 200, the adhesive tape 200 can be attached to the inner surface 100b of the insulating protective sheet 100 facing the battery cell C. The adhesive tape 200 can be attached to the inner surface 100b of the insulating protective sheet 100 and overlap the insulating protective sheet 100. The adhesive tape 200 can extend throughout the thin pattern 150 formed in the insulating protective sheet 100 and completely cover the insulating protective sheet 100. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulating protective sheet 100 can extend throughout the plurality of thin patterns 150. The adhesive tape 200 can not only extend in the central region CA in which the plurality of thin patterns 150 are formed, but also cover substantially the entire region of the insulating protective sheet 100 while extending in the peripheral region PA surrounding the central region CA. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the inner surface 100b of the insulating protective sheet 100 facing the battery cell C can form a flat surface in the central region CA in which the plurality of thin patterns 150 are formed and the peripheral region PA in which the thin pattern 150 is not formed. The adhesive tape 200 completely covering the inner surface 100b formed as a substantially flat surface can enhance the electrical insulation properties of the insulating protective sheet 100. In one or more embodiments, the adhesive tape 200 can not only achieve coupling between the insulating protective sheet 100 and the battery cell C, but also increase the insulation thickness, thereby increasing the insulation breakdown voltage for the electrical insulation properties. The adhesive tape 200 can form a substantially entire region throughout the insulating protective sheet 100, so that both the insulating protective sheet 100 and the adhesive tape 200 can form the insulation thickness.

[0066] In embodiments of the disclosure, the insulating protection sheet 100 having the thin pattern 150 can be on a cover plate forming an upper surface 11 of a battery cell C, and can have an approximately rectangular sheet shape including a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides while extending along a long side of the cover plate (upper surface 11) of the battery cell C and extending in parallel with a short side of the cover plate of the battery cell C. The insulating protection sheet 100 can include a pair of long sides extending in the second direction Z2 along the long side of the cover plate and a pair of short sides extending in the first direction Z1 in parallel with a pair of side surfaces 14 forming a short side of the cover plate. The pair of long sides can extend in the second direction Z2 intersecting the first direction Z1 and corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the insulating protection sheet 100, and the pair of short sides can extend in the first direction Z1 corresponding to a width direction of the insulating protection sheet 100. In embodiments of the disclosure, the insulating protection sheet 100 can have a rectangular sheet shape extending longitudinally in the second direction Z2 and extending laterally in the first direction Z1. The thin pattern 150 formed on the insulating protection sheet 100 can include a plurality of thin cells 140 arranged in a plurality of rows in the second direction Z2 and in a plurality of rows in the first direction Z1. The thin pattern 150 (e.g., thin cells 140) formed in the insulating protection sheet 100 can have a circular open structure 130 (e.g., open circle) in the outer surface 100a of the insulating protection sheet 100. In one or more embodiments, a row of thin cells 140 arranged in a row R in the second direction Z2 can be arranged in a plurality of rows R in the first direction Z1. For example, to form a dense arrangement of a plurality of thin cells 140, the row R of thin cells 140 arranged in the second direction Z2 can be arranged between regions G of thin cells 40 of other rows R adjacent to each other in the first direction Z1, thereby forming a thin pattern 150 having a high density per unit area (e.g., thin cells 140 can be staggered). In embodiments of the disclosure, a plurality of thin cells 140 forming the thin pattern 150 can be arranged in rows R in the second direction Z2, regions G can be formed between thin cells 140 adjacent to each other in the first direction Z1, and thin cells 40 in another row R adjacent to each other in the second direction Z2 can be arranged in the regions G of thin cells 140 adjacent to each other. This arrangement can allow a plurality of thin cells 140 to be densely arranged in the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2. In one or more embodiments, the thin cells 140 can have a circular open structure 130 in the outer surface 100a opposite the battery cell C, and regions G can be formed between thin cells 140 adjacent to each other in the first direction Z1. Also, thin cells 140 in another row R adjacent to each other in the second direction Z2 can be arranged in the regions G between thin cells 40 adjacent to each other in the first direction Z1.

[0067] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the thin pattern 150 can include a plurality of thin cells 140 densely packed in the central area CA of the insulation protection sheet 100, and the plurality of thin cells 140 densely packed in the central area CA can be arranged in rows R in the second direction Z2. The thin cells 140 in other rows R adjacent to each other in the first direction Z1 can be arranged in the areas G between the thin cells 40 adjacent to each other in the first direction Z1. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the thin pattern 150 can include a plurality of thin cells 140 densely arranged in the central area CA of the insulation protection sheet 100. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the thin pattern 150 can set an appropriate critical breakdown pressure based on the size (diameter Φ1) of each of the thin cells 140 forming the thin pattern 150 and the distance between the thin cells 140 closest to each other. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the diameter of the open circle in the outer surface 100a of the insulation protection sheet 100 of the thin pattern 150 can be from a minimum of about (approximately) 0.5 mm to a maximum of about (approximately) 1 mm, and the distance between the open circles in the outer surface 100a of the insulation protection sheet 100 (for example, the distance between the thin cells 140 closest to each other) can be from a minimum of about (approximately) 0.3 mm to a maximum of about (approximately) 3 mm. In an embodiment of the disclosure, if the diameter of the open circle of the thin cell 140 is less than the minimum value (approximately 0.5 mm), the critical breakdown pressure for rupturing the insulation protection sheet 100 increases relatively, which can hinder the release of pressure or the ejection of gas from the inside of the battery cell C. Also, if the diameter of the open circle of the thin cell 140 is greater than the maximum value (approximately 1 mm), the critical breakdown pressure for rupturing the insulation protection sheet 100 decreases relatively, which can induce rupture under normal operating conditions or cause rupture during processes such as dispensing or assembly of the insulation protection sheet 100.

[0068] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the distance between the thin cells 140 closest to each other (i.e., adjacent to each other) can mean the distance between the thin cell 140 and the nearest thin cell 140 among the other adjacent thin cells 140 surrounding the thin cell 140. The distance can mean the distance formed between one thin cell 140 and another thin cell 140 that is spaced apart from the one thin cell 140 by the shortest distance among the other thin cells 140 adjacent in all directions.

[0069] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of thin cells 140 can be densely arranged in the central area CA of the insulation protection sheet 100 in the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2. In one or more embodiments, the plurality of thin cells 140 can form a dense array in which the thin cells 140 in different adjacent rows R in the first direction Z1 are arranged in the area G between adjacent thin cells 140 of the plurality of thin cells 140 arranged in the second direction Z2. In an embodiment of the disclosure, if one thin cell 140 is defined as a central thin cell 141, an array of six thin cells 142 (adjunct thin cells 142) surrounding the central thin cell 141 can be formed. In one or more embodiments, the adjunct thin cells 142 surrounding the central thin cell 141 can be spaced apart from each other at regular (or substantially regular) intervals. The plurality of thin cells 140 can be arranged in a state in which the distance between adjacent adjunct thin cells 142 is defined as the distance between the closest thin cells 140. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the distance between the central thin cell 141 and each of the adjunct thin cells 142 surrounding the central thin cell 141 can be a first distance d1, and the distance between adjacent adjunct thin cells 142 surrounding the central thin cell 141 can be a second distance d2. The first distance d1 can be greater than the second distance d2, i.e., the second distance d2 can be less than the first distance d1. In an embodiment of the disclosure, as a design parameter for setting the critical rupture pressure, the distance between the closest thin cells 40 can represent the second distance d2.

[0070] In embodiments of the disclosure, in the plurality of thin cells 140, the distance (second distance d2) between thin cells 140 adjacent to each other in the diagonal direction along both the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2 can correspond to the distance between the closest thin cells 40. In one or more embodiments, the break line BL in the diagonal direction can be formed while the pitch between the closest thin cells 140 adjacent to each other in the diagonal direction along both the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2 is broken. In embodiments of the disclosure, in the thin pattern 150, the break line BL can not be formed as the pitch between thin cells 140 adjacent to each other in the first direction Z1 is broken, and the break line BL can not be formed as the pitch between thin cells 140 adjacent to each other in the second direction Z2 is broken. In one or more embodiments, the distance (second distance d2) between thin cells 140 adjacent to each other in the diagonal direction along both the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2 can be relatively smaller than the distance between thin cells 140 adjacent to each other in the first direction Z1 or the distance between thin cells 140 adjacent to each other in the second direction Z2. In embodiments of the disclosure, the break line BL along which the thin pattern 150 is broken at a predetermined critical break pressure can be formed in the diagonal direction along both the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2, rather than in the first direction Z1 or the second direction Z2. In one or more embodiments, a dense array of thin cells 140 can be formed while thin cells 140 in different rows adjacent to each other in the first direction Z1 are disposed in the area G between thin cells 140 adjacent to each other in the second direction Z2 corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the insulating protective sheet 100. A sufficient distance can be set between thin cells 140 adjacent to each other in the second direction Z2 in order to secure the area G between thin cells 140 adjacent to each other in the first direction Z1.

[0071] Unlike embodiments of the disclosure, if the distance between thin cells 140 adjacent to each other in the first direction Z1 is set to the minimum distance (e.g., the distance between the closest thin cells 40), it can be difficult to secure an appropriate break width as the length of the break line BL is reduced. In embodiments of the disclosure, in order to secure a sufficient break width while forming the break line BL in the diagonal direction along both the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2, the distance between thin cells 140 adjacent to each other in the diagonal direction along both the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2 can be set to the distance between the closest thin cells 140.

[0072] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the distance between the closest thin cells 140 (second distance d2) can be from a minimum value of about (approximately) 0.3 mm to a maximum value of about (approximately) 3 mm. For example, if the distance between the closest thin cells 140 is less than the minimum value (approximately 0.3 mm), the critical rupture pressure to rupture the insulating protective sheet 100 can be relatively reduced, which can induce rupture under normal operating conditions, or can cause rupture of the insulating protective sheet 100 during handling such as distribution or assembly of the insulating protective sheet 100. For example, if the distance between the closest thin cells 140 is greater than the maximum value (approximately 3 mm), the critical rupture pressure to rupture the insulating protective sheet 100 can be relatively increased, which can hinder the release of pressure or the ejection of gas from the inside of the battery cell C.

[0073] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the critical rupture pressure at which the insulating protective sheet 100 ruptures can be set to a critical rupture condition in which the size (diameter Φ1) of the thin cells 140 and the distance (second distance d2) between the closest thin cells 140 are combined. For example, the critical rupture condition can be considered as follows.

[0074] i) Condition for minimum critical rupture pressure

[0075] The diameter of the open circle of the thin cells 140 (first diameter Φ1) is a maximum value (approximately 1 mm).

[0076] The distance between the closest thin cells 140 (second distance d2) is a minimum value (approximately 0.3 mm).

[0077] ii) Condition for maximum critical rupture pressure

[0078] The diameter of the open circle of the thin cells 140 (first diameter Φ1) is a minimum value (approximately 0.5 mm).

[0079] The distance between the closest thin cells 140 (second distance d2) is a maximum value (approximately 3 mm).

[0080] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, if the critical rupture pressure falls between the minimum value and the maximum value, an appropriate critical rupture pressure can be set. For example, if the diameter of the open circle of the thin cells 140 is between the maximum value and the minimum value, and the distance between the closest thin cells 140 is between the minimum value and the maximum value, an appropriate critical rupture pressure can be set.

[0081] Figure 7 An insulating protective sheet 100 according to other embodiments different from the insulating protective sheet 100 according to Figure 6 An insulating protective sheet 100 according to other embodiments different from the insulating protective sheet 100 according to

[0082] Figure 8 For Figure 7A cross-sectional view of the insulating protection sheet 100.

[0083] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the thin cell 140 can form an inclined ramp cross-sectional profile. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the thin cell 140 can have a wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape converging to an apex from an open circle (having a first diameter Φ1) in the outer surface 100a of the insulating protection sheet 100 opposite (i.e., facing away from) the battery cell C to the inner surface 100b of the insulating protection sheet 100 facing the battery cell C, or can have a shape converging from the open circle (having a first diameter Φ1) of the outer surface 100b of the insulating protection sheet 100 into a circle having a reduced second diameter Φ2. The apex can be a point having no diameter. In one or more embodiments, the apex can be formed as an approximate point having a second diameter Φ2 smaller than the first diameter Φ1 of the open circle in the outer surface 100a of the insulating protection sheet 100, or can have a shape converging into a circle having a reduced second diameter Φ2. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the relationship between the first diameter Φ1 of the open circle in the outer surface 100a of the insulating protection sheet 100 and the apex converging from the open circle or the second diameter Φ2 of the reduced circle can satisfy the following dimensional relationship: the first diameter Φ1 can be smaller than approximately 10 times the second diameter Φ2. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the difference between the first diameter Φ1 and the second diameter Φ2 can not exceed approximately 10 times the second diameter Φ2. In an embodiment of the disclosure, if the slope is formed with a diameter difference of 10 times or more of the small thickness 10 of the thin cell 140 formed with a substantially small thickness, the slope is formed in an excessively flat state in the inclined ramp cross-sectional profile, which can cause damage to the insulating protection sheet 100 in handling. For example, damage to the insulating protection sheet can occur due to careless handling even in cases unrelated to events such as dispensing or assembly of the insulating protection sheet 100. In addition, considering the difficulty of the molding process, a slope having a diameter difference of 10 times or more of the small thickness of the thin cell 140 can not be desirable. In Figure 7 and Figure 8 In, the thin cell 140 can converge from the open circle (open structure 130) having a first diameter Φ1 of the outer surface 100a of the insulating protection sheet 100 into a circle having a second diameter Φ2 smaller than the first diameter Φ1 of the inner surface 100b of the insulating protection sheet 100. Reference numeral 120' can denote a closed structure 120' in the inner surface 100b of the insulating protection sheet 100.

[0084] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the thin unit 140 may have a cross-sectional profile having an inclined slope. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the thin unit 140 may have a wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape that converges from an open circle in the outer surface 100a of the insulating protection sheet 100 to an apex toward the inner surface 100b of the insulating protection sheet 100. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the thin unit 140 may have a truncated wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape that converges from an open circle in the outer surface 100a of the insulating protection sheet 100 to an apex toward the inner surface 100b of the insulating protection sheet 100. In one or more embodiments, the inclined slope cross-sectional profile of the thin unit 140 may have a truncated wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape that converges from an open circle having a first diameter Φ1 in the outer surface 100a of the insulating protection sheet 100 to a circle having a second diameter Φ2 that is smaller than the first diameter Φ1.

[0085] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG, the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an insulating protective sheet 100 attached to the first surface of the battery cell C corresponding to the upper surface 11 of the battery cell C so as to cover the exhaust port V formed in the first surface of the battery cell C. Figure 9 , a battery pack according to other embodiments of the present disclosure may include an insulating protective sheet 100 attached to a first surface of the battery cell C corresponding to the lower surface 12 of the battery cell C so as to cover the exhaust port V formed in the first surface of the battery cell C. In the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper surface 11 and the lower surface 12 may refer to surfaces opposite to each other at different levels (e.g., different heights) in a third direction Z3 intersecting (e.g., orthogonal) the first direction Z1 and the second direction Z2. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 9 The configuration in which the exhaust port V is formed in the lower surface 12 of the battery cell C is shown. Gravity may act in a downward direction, and buoyancy opposite to gravity may act in an upward direction. In order to prevent (or at least reduce) the flame emitted from the downward-facing exhaust port V from rising toward other adjacent battery cells C due to buoyancy and igniting other adjacent battery cells C in turn, an insulating protective sheet 100 having a plurality of thin units 140 may be formed on the lower surface 12 of the battery cell C where the exhaust port V is formed. Figure 9In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in the absence of the insulation protection sheet 100, a flame can rise upward under the influence of the buoyancy from the rising airflow of the exhaust port V formed in the lower surface 12, causing other adjacent battery cells C to sequentially explode and ignite. In order to protect not only the driver's cabin located above the battery pack in the interior of the vehicle from the direct flame from the exhaust port V, but also to protect the adjacent battery cells C from the upwardly rising flame, the insulation protection sheet 100 including a plurality of thin cells 140 can be on the lower surface 12 of the battery cell C and cover the exhaust port V formed in the lower surface 12 of the battery cell C. Throughout the specification, the insulation protection sheet 100 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be on the first surface of the battery cell C in which the exhaust port V is formed. In various embodiments, the first surface on which the insulation protection sheet 100 of the battery cell C is located can denote at least one of the upper surface 11 and the lower surface 12 of the battery cell C.

[0087] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 1 In the drawings not described in detail in the detailed description, reference numeral EP can denote an end plate, reference numerals 20, 21 can denote a cooling plate 20 and a cooling channel 21 of the cooling plate 20, respectively, for cooling the bottom of the plurality of battery cells C.

[0088] According to the present disclosure, the insulation protection sheet 100 having a plurality of thin cells 140 can be on the exhaust port V configured to vent and / or release the gas and / or pressure accumulated inside each of the plurality of battery cells C forming the battery pack. In addition to the release of internal pressure or the venting of internal gas, the battery pack can suppress the eruption of a flame or the scattering of a high-temperature solid, thereby preventing (or at least mitigating) the spread of the flame to other adjacent battery cells C and / or chain ignition between adjacent battery cells C.

[0089] It should be understood that the embodiments described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodiment should typically be considered as being applicable in other embodiments. While one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising: a plurality of battery cells arranged in a first direction, each of the plurality of battery cells including a first surface and a vent configured in the first surface to discharge gas; as well as a plurality of insulating protection sheets, each of the plurality of insulating protection sheets being configured to at least partially cover the first surface where the exhaust port is located, wherein each of the plurality of insulating protection sheets has a thin pattern comprising an array of a plurality of thin units having an inclined slope cross-sectional profile converging from an open structure in an outer surface of each insulating protection sheet toward an inner surface, and Each of the plurality of insulating protection sheets has a closed structure on the inner surface facing the battery cell and an open structure on the outer surface opposite to the battery cell. 2 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the closed structure in the inner surface of each insulating protection sheet fluidically isolates an upper region from a lower region of each insulating protection sheet. 3 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of thin cells has a circular open structure in the outer surface of each insulating protection sheet. 4 . The battery pack according to claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of thin units has a wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape including an apex, and the circular open structures in the outer surface of each insulating protection sheet converge to the apex toward the inner surface of each insulating protection sheet.

5. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of thin units has a truncated wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape, wherein the circular open structure having a first diameter in the outer surface of the insulating protection sheet converges into a circle having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter in a direction toward the inner surface of each insulating protection sheet. 6 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of thin cells has a three-dimensional conical shape or a truncated conical shape.

7. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein each of the insulating protective sheets comprises: a central region comprising said array of said plurality of thin elements; as well as A peripheral area surrounds the central area and does not include the thin pattern. 8 . The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein the inner surface of each insulating protection sheet facing the battery cell is a flat surface. 9 . The battery pack according to claim 7 , wherein in the outer surface of each insulating protective sheet opposite to the battery cells, the plurality of thin cells in the central region of each insulating protective sheet are recessed from the peripheral region of each insulating protective sheet.

10. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein each of the insulating protective sheets comprises: a pair of long sides extending along long sides of the first surface of the battery cell, respectively, the pair of long sides extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and corresponding to a longitudinal direction of each insulating protection sheet; as well as A pair of short sides respectively extend in parallel with the short sides of the first surface of the battery cell, and the pair of short sides extend in the first direction corresponding to the width direction of each insulating protection sheet. The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of thin units are arranged in a plurality of rows in a second direction corresponding to a longitudinal direction of each insulating protection sheet and in a plurality of rows in the first direction corresponding to a width direction of the insulating protection sheet.

12. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of thin cells form a dense arrangement, and wherein thin cells in different rows adjacent to each other in the first direction are arranged in a region between thin cells adjacent to each other in a second direction corresponding to a longitudinal direction of each insulating protection sheet. 13 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of thin cells include a central thin cell and a plurality of subsidiary thin cells surrounding the central thin cell. 14 . The battery pack according to claim 13 , wherein a second distance between the plurality of subsidiary thin cells adjacent to each other along a circumference of the central thin cell is smaller than a first distance between the central thin cell and each of the plurality of subsidiary thin cells. 15 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the first surface of the battery cell where the exhaust port is formed corresponds to any one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the battery cell. 16 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive tape on the inner surface of each insulating protection sheet, the adhesive tape coupling each insulating protection sheet to the first surface of the battery cell.

17. The battery pack according to claim 16, wherein each of the insulating protective sheets comprises: a central region, the central region including the thin pattern, the thin pattern including a dense arrangement of the plurality of thin units; and a peripheral area surrounding the central area and excluding the thin pattern, and The adhesive tape covers the entire area of ​​each insulating protection sheet throughout the central area and the peripheral area of ​​each insulating protection sheet. 18 . The battery pack according to claim 16 , wherein each of the insulating protection sheets and the adhesive tape electrically insulates the first surface of the battery cell based on a thickness of the adhesive tape and a thickness of each of the insulating protection sheets at the thin pattern.

19. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein each of the insulating protective sheets comprises aerogel or mica.

20. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the critical rupture pressure of the thin pattern is set according to design parameters of the thin pattern, the design parameters including the diameter of the circular open structure formed in the outer surface of each insulating protection sheet and the distance between the closest thin units of the plurality of thin units.

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    KR1020240046954A